Ezra Chapter 1

Ezra Chapter 1   
Distributed by:  KJV Bible Studies
Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net
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Introduction:
The book of Ezra is the chronological successor to II Chronicles. At the end of II Chronicles, Judah had finally been captured by Babylon. The time of the beginning book of Ezra is approximately fifty years after their capture. Ezra records the beginning of the restoration and return of captive Israel to their homeland. In some ways, there are parallels to the return of modern Israel to its homeland.
 
During the seventy-year interval of the official exile, God inspired several prophets to write. Jeremiah completed his prophecies from the land of Judah including Lamentations. Ezekiel wrote his prophecies during this time as a captive within the Babylonian empire. Daniel also wrote from Babylon. Meanwhile back in Palestine, the small number of Jews not taken to Assyria or Babylon had intermarried with gentiles forming the nucleus of the later race of Samaritans. The land was little by little being claimed by neighboring gentile peoples. Jerusalem was destroyed.
 
The Temple was gone and little was left of what once was the proud nation of Israel. God judged His people for their backslidden, sinful condition. Ezra is the first of six post-captivity (restoration) books of the Bible. Following Ezra, Nehemiah wrote. Also the book of Esther was written at roughly the same time. As the restoration era continued, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi wrote. The book of Ezra forms the beginning of the restored nation of Israel which historically is the platform upon on which the time period of the revealing and writing of the New Testament takes place.
 
Specifically, the Book of Ezra records the return to Palestine of a remnant of Jews under the leadership of Zerubbabel in about 536 B.C. They laid the foundation of a new Temple. Approximately, 78 years later in about 458 B.C., Ezra the priest himself returned and restored the Temple worship and ritual. (Later still, in 444 B.C. Nehemiah returned to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.)
 
Ezra writes of these events which predated his involvement as well as the years he himself was present. He records the difficulties, obstacles, opposition and success in doing a work for God. One thing is for sure. It was not easy. It never is. Ezra never had the privilege of ministering in a large, well established Temple. This temple was small, of modest proportions, and limited influence. Though not addressed directly, there are profound implications of Ezra. Approximately 50,000 Jews including their servants returned to the land more or less as pioneers of the restoration. However, there undoubtedly were Jews numbering into seven digits who remained in the greater Babylonian empire.
 
After the shock of dislocation and cultural adjustment, they had become prosperous and comfortable living in the gentile world. Though they gave lip service to Judaism and their spiritual heritage, the majority were not interested in returning when the time came. They were comfortable making money in Babylon. They had their synagogue system which they had developed.
 
Restoring the work of God at Jerusalem though having some importance was not at the top of their priority list. Many of them sent money to support the restoration, but they themselves were not willing to go. They were too comfortable where they were at. Parallels to modern Christianity and the fulfillment of the Great Commission are evident. Ezra records the history of that feeble remnant which had a heart for God and the restoration of his work. Ezra chapters one and two present the historical background of the return of the initial remnant. 
 
I.  Proclamation of Cyrus

Ezr 1:1  Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 

God’s providential preparation of the heart of Cyrus is evident.  The Babylonian empire had absorbed the Assyrian empire. Not long before the events of Ezra, Babylon had been conquered by the Persian empire. International geopolitics are evident in this verse.
 
The ruler of this large realm was Cyrus. The reference to the first year of Cyrus refers not to the first year he was king, but rather the first year Babylon had been under his rule. The last two verses of II Chronicles (36:22-23) refers to the same providential detail. 

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